The Rev Dr. Rick SchlosserDear Friends,
As everyone in California knows, Los Angeles is under siege. It’s not by “rioters” or “illegals” but by our own federal government.
Governor Newsom is in federal court to try to get a clear ruling that the use of the California Guard as a federalized force is illegal. Our concern is that even if the state of California wins, there is a threat to deploy the Marines to the city which will escalate things markedly.
We have been asked by people representing citizens in Los Angeles to encourage a clergy and laity faithful presence there. Many of you may already be active in the crowd, but we don’t know who or where. We are therefore asking for as many voices for peace to have an organized and faithful presence in as many numbers as possible.
There are many groups organizing peaceful presence and demonstrations in opposition to this siege. For up-to-date information, please contact our friends at CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice) at (213) 481-3740 or Faith-Rooted Organizer Matthew Hom at mhom@cluejustice.org or (562) 400-3683. We urge you to be your own organizers of specifically faith people to have a presence at the Federal Building in Los Angeles, 350 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles. There is safety in numbers, so collaboration and coalitions are encouraged.
For background, the outpouring of resistance to ICE in L.A. stemmed from the seizure of lawfully present immigrants, doing what they were entitled to do, who were then held without food and water or sanitation in the basement of the federal building in Los Angeles. ICE has not detained and deported criminals as was promised. They are doing this to people who are lawfully present and following the rules that would lead them to full citizenship down the road. This is a massive injustice. People are not letting this continue unchallenged.
We need a powerful presence of faith leaders making clear that illegal acts by those entrusted with our public safety cannot stand.
For those who are not able to be part of the daily presence outside of the federal building in downtown Los Angeles, there are many alternatives. Glendale just terminated its contract with ICE to be the location of a detention center. There are numerous private prisons popping up throughout California that have expressed interest in becoming detention centers. Stopping that collaboration with ICE would be a noble act of justice. If they are in your community, please work with local authorities to terminate these contracts.
We ask you to be as engaged in fighting for our immigrant communities as best as you are able. Nothing calls injustice to account better than your presence. Please do all you can, as long as you can, howsoever you can.
Thank you,
Elizabeth “Libby” Sholes
Public Policy Advocate